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Looking to the Future for Erectile Dysfunction Therapies

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Abstract

The treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) has been revolutionized during the last 2 decades with several treatment options now available. Most of these treatments are associated with high efficacy rates and favourable safety profiles. A MEDLINE search was undertaken to evaluate all currently available data on treatment modalities for ED. Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil) are currently the first-choice treatment option for ED by most physicians and patients. In addition, several new PDE5 inhibitors are candidates to enter the market in forthcoming years (avanafil, udenafil, SLx-2101, mirodenafil [SK3530]). However, obvious pharmacokinetic differences that result in a faster time-to-onset, longer half-life time and better safety profile are required for these drugs to be considered a truly better option for patients. Other molecules in development include selective dopamine, glutamate, serotonin and melanocortin receptor agonists, guanylate cyclase activators, rho-kinase inhibitors and hexarelin analogues, while the first trials on gene therapy and tissue engineering for reconstruction of corporal tissue are under way. Patients must be aware of all treatment options since no ideal treatment exists. It is expected that the availability of drugs with different mechanisms of action will allow physicians to offer more personalized medicine to their patients in the future. The development and adaptation of a patient-centred care model in sexual medicine will increase the efficacy and safety of current and future treatments.

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Table I

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Notes

  1. The use of trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

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No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this review. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

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  1. Center for Sexual and Reproductive Health, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 77 Mitropoleos str., Thessaloniki, 54622, Greece

    Konstantinos Hatzimouratidis &  Dimitrios G. Hatzichristou

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  1. Konstantinos Hatzimouratidis
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  2. Dimitrios G. Hatzichristou
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Correspondence to Dimitrios G. Hatzichristou.

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Hatzimouratidis, K., Hatzichristou, D.G. Looking to the Future for Erectile Dysfunction Therapies. Drugs 68, 231–250 (2008). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-200868020-00006

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